Our unemployment rate fell to 6.9 percent and added 7500 jobs in March -- which is double the average rate.

State Economist Nick Bielichicks says this is great news.

"Oregon's labor force for the fifth consecutive month showed job growth and this follows two years of job loss. And we're seeing more people entering the work force and their more encouraged about their prospects."

Governor Ktizhaber says these latest numbers show Oregon's continued economic expansion. He says many of the state's major industries, including construction, leisure and hospitality and health care -- are all adding more than one thousand jobs each.